Three days dedicated to science, critical thinking and public engagement. CICAP Fest 2025 – themed “Crossing Boundaries: the Adventure of Knowledge” – featured the participation of Humanitas University with faculty-led talks and a hands-on experiential workshop open to the public. Three different formats, united by the aim of exploring the complexity of care, the human body and pharmacology through accessible language and genuine dialogue with the audience.
This body is a hotel
The human body as an ecosystem inhabited by a multitude of microorganisms: in the session led by Valeria Cento and Michele Bartoletti, faculty members at Humanitas University, together with biotechnologist and science communicator Stefano Bertacchi, the discussion focused on what happens when these delicate “balances” – within the body and in the surrounding environment – begin to break down.
From hospital-acquired infections caused by highly aggressive bacteria to ongoing research on next-generation antibacterial therapies, voices from research and clinical practice highlighted how essential it is to protect the fragile relationships that underpin our coexistence with the microbial world.
The imperfect science of medicines
With Maurizio D’Incalci, professor at Humanitas University, and science communicator Liza Vozza, the conversation shifted to the heart of contemporary pharmacology – a field where scientific insight, biological limits and patient needs collide every day. The session explored how medicines are developed, why some treatments work for certain patients but not for others, and how even the most advanced therapies still face concrete challenges, from side effects to questions of access.
Bringing together laboratory research and clinical experience, the discussion underscored a fundamental truth: the science of medicines is never a straight path. It is a dynamic process that evolves over time, demands caution and attentive listening, and requires continuous adjustments – a journey that calls for informed and thoughtful understanding.
Sottopelle. Understanding care through play
CICAP Fest 2025 rounded off with Sottopelle, a live role-playing experience led by Humanitas University and developed by Chaos League Srl. Participants stepped directly into the complexities of clinical decision-making, navigating an immersive simulation based on a realistic case scenario. Working in groups, they confronted emotions, ethical dilemmas and teamwork under pressure. The session offered an intense and engaging experience, showing how care is never just technical competence: it is also relationship, listening, and the ability to communicate clearly even when uncertainty is high.
